As we bring WordCamp Nepal 2026 to a close, held on January 23rd and 24th at the beautiful Manigram Bishram Batika, Butwal, my heart overflows with gratitude. What an incredible journey this has been for our community.
This year’s theme captured the very essence of who we are. From the bustling energy of Contributor Day to the thoughtful discussions in our breakout sessions, it was clear: the WordPress spirit is thriving and stronger than ever in the heart of Lumbini Province.
Together, we did not just attend an event; we created moments that will ripple through our community for years to come.
#WCNP By the Numbers
The impact of these two days in Butwal speaks for itself. These are not just figures; they represent a massive leap forward for the Nepali tech ecosystem:
| Milestone | Impact |
| Attendees | 660+ WordPress Enthusiasts |
| Knowledge Leaders | 31 Inspiring Speakers |
| Deep-Dive Sessions | 27 Tracks of Learning |
| Community Backers | 27 Generous Sponsors |
| The Engine | 38 Organizers and 36 Volunteers |
| Giving Back | 450+ New Contributors on Contributor Day |
Butwal’s Moment to Shine
Bringing WordCamp to Butwal was a statement about our commitment to regional empowerment. To the local community: you welcomed us with open arms and showed us what regional leadership looks like. Manigram Bishram Batika provided the perfect backdrop for this historic gathering.
Honoring Our Roots
We stand on the shoulders of giants. Our journey began in 2012 with the visionary late Ujwal Thapa. His dream of an “Open-Source Nepal” remains our guiding light. We are honored to carry the torch passed down by:
- 2013: Chandra Maharzan
- 2014-15: Sakin Shrestha
- The Regional Era: Decentralized events across Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Pokhara, and Kathmandu.
- Recent Milestones:
- Suvash Khadka & Bikash Pun (2022)
- Yam B. Chhetri & Nishal Gurung (2024)
- Surendra Shrestha & Regan Khadgi (2025).
For 2026, it has been my profound honor to serve as Global Lead, working side-by-side with Krishna Neupane (Local Lead). A thunderous round of applause to our team of 38 organizers who turned vision into reality.
Continuing the Mission: The Ujwal Thapa Memorial Scholarship
In keeping with our values, we awarded 5 Ujwal Thapa Memorial Scholarships this year. These individuals were chosen for their dedication to community building and their potential to lead the next generation of Nepali developers and creators.
Next Destination: Nepalgunj!
The WordPress journey never truly ends; it just moves to a new horizon. We are thrilled to announce that the torch now passes to the Mid-Western region.
Next WordCamp Nepal will be hosted in Nepalgunj, led by:
Alina Kakshapati as Global Lead
We have complete confidence that Alina and the Nepalgunj team will elevate WordCamp to even greater heights.
A Personal Reflection
To see 450+ new contributors make their mark on Contributor Day was the highlight of my year. It proves that when we unite around shared values of collaboration, incredible things happen.
To Krishna Neupane: Your dedication made this possible. To our sponsors, speakers, and every single attendee: Thank you. You did not just attend a conference; you built a movement.
The event may end, but the community lives on. See you at the next meetup, and see you in Nepalgunj!
With gratitude and pride,
Rakesh Lawaju
Global Lead
WordCamp Nepal 2026